This article critically evaluates Walt Rostow’s modernization theory, a Cold War-era model that presents development as a linear, universal process. It argues that the theory is fundamentally flawed due to its Eurocentric assumptions, reductionist framework, and disregard for historical and structural inequalities, particularly those stemming from colonialism. Drawing on postcolonial critiques from thinkers such as Mohanty and Spivak, the article contends that such models impose epistemic violence, erasing the voices and agency of the Global South while reinforcing neocolonial hierarchies under the guise of progress. It also critiques the theory’s neglect of non-linear development trajectories, political contexts, and environmental sustainability. In response, alternative frameworks such as dependency theory, Sen’s capabilities approach, and ecological modernization are explored for their more inclusive and context-sensitive visions. However, while Amartya Sen’s capabilities approach offers a profound shift from Rostow by focusing on expanding human freedoms, his positioning within the mainstream economics tradition and the incomplete nature of his theory reveals certain ambiguities. Ultimately, the article calls for a postcolonial reimagining of development that embraces pluralism, sustainability, and local realities, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals to foster an equitable future.

Keywords: Rostow, Global South, Development, Neo-imperialism, Economics